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40 family theatre shows in and around Cardiff between now and the end of 2018

I was chatting to some mum friends a couple of days ago about pantomimes and Christmas theatre shows. Off the top of my head I named about 10 they could take their children to see at different theatres. “I’m in the middle of writing a family theatre guide,” I offered by way of explanation. “I don’t have some weird obsession with theatre listings.”

Here’s 40 family-friendly performances that are happening in and around Cardiff in October, November and December. There’s a range of shows catering from the youngest theatre goers right up to teenagers. Let me know any I’ve missed.

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October

Richard Burton Theatre, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Saturday 6 October 11.30am; workshop 1.30pm

£7 show only; £9 for show and workshop; age guidance 6+

A mischievous musical adventure that explores the ways in which people and friendships grow and change. When out of nowhere a mysterious empty chair appears bang in the middle of a house, its inhabitants are beyond bewildered. Why does it bring a strange, sizzling silence? Who is the tip-toeing creature full of songs and secrets that longs to help? And what on earth is a black hole doing at the front door? The Empty Chair unfolds through playful storytelling and irresistible music for voice, cello and piano, drawn from across the ages to include works by Debussy, Couperin, Berio and Moondog, alongside new music by Troupe.

The post-show workshop invites audience members to join Catherine, Jessie and Sophie of Troupe to explore the themes, characters and story of The Empty Chair. Listen to the players up close and ask them questions and work as a group (adults and children alike) to create your very own piece of music in response to the show.

The Riverfront, Newport

Saturday 13 October 11.30am and 2.30pm

£9, family of 4 £28

There are melodies that live in all of us. No one knows that more than Marty the puppy, whose songs and play-time with his dad are the best part of his day. But sometimes, you have to learn how to find the music inside yourself…

Twinkle Twinkle is a heart-warming adventure in melody and light, made especially for very young audiences by an award-winning team of artists. The show features brilliant puppetry, magical interaction and a gorgeous original score.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 16-Wednesday 17 October

£16.50-£32.50 (10 under 26s); age guidance 8+ (no under 2s)

For more than 40 years, the all-male comedy ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (affectionately known as The Trocks) have been delighting audiences of all ages at sell-out performances featuring their fabulous sense of fun and their flawless dance. Established in New York, the Trocks are now loved world-wide for their sassy spoofs and hilarious homages to classical ballet, where 18 dancers each transform into two personas, both male and female.

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 17-Saturday 20 October

Wednesday 2pm; Thursday Saturday 11am and 2pm

Age guidance 3+; £12.50-£14.50

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hugely popular children’s book Stick Man is brought to the stage in this original award-winning stage adaptation from Scamp Theatre. Featuring a trio of top actors and full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves the show follows Stick Man who “lives in the family tree; With his Stick Lady love; and their stick children three”. One morning while out for a jog he discovers the world is a dangerous place as a dog wants to play fetch with him a swan builds a nest with him and he even ends up on a fire. Will he ever get back to the family tree?

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 17 October-Saturday 3 November

£16-£16; age guidance 14+; under 25s half price

Sherman Theatre and Theatr Clwyd present this bold and contemporary staging of William Golding’s classic Lord of the Flies – a terrifying dystopian future where rules don’t matter, law means nothing and school kids rule the world . On a remote island, a new society is being created. A group of evacuated school children have crash landed. There are no adults to tell them what to do. They’ve ripped up the rule book and are starting all over again. But it’s not long before their utopia descends into a nightmarish hell.

BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre

Sunday 21 October 3pm

From £14

The world premiere of a new work performed by the chorus, soloists and orchestra of National Youth Arts Wales Sorrows of the Somme is a moving choral and orchestral response to English, Welsh and German writings on the battle for Mametz Wood where almost 4,000 Welsh soldiers lost their lives or were wounded in the first days of the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. Composed by Brian Hughes the libretto is based on writings from the First World War with a new lyric by Dr Rowan Williams and performed by the National Youth Choir of Wales, C.Ô.R and National Youth Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Gareth Jones. Performed by today’s generation of young people, Sorrows of the Somme is the concluding artistic event of the four-year programme that has marked Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-18 – and one that will poignantly remind us of the vulnerability and spirit of those that Wales lost in the First World War.

Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre

Sunday 21 October 4pm

£26.50-£80; age 8+ (no under 2s)

Celebrating 10 years since winning BBC’s Last Choir Standing, Only Men Aloud perform a Decade Gala Celebration Concert featuring many of their hits from the last 10 years performed in their unique sound, style and harmonies.

Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre

Tuesday 23 October, 7.30pm

£17-£29.50; under 26s half price; age guidance 14+

Music Theatre Wales and National Dance Company Wales present this sensuous work for voice and body, where dance and opera meld to form an intimate portrayal of the pain and passion of two lovers forced apart to separate worlds. Mixed with the haunting sounds of harpsichord and Arabic Oud, Pascal Dusapin’s gleaming, shifting score, performed by the London Sinfonietta, conveys a timeless world within which the movement of dancers and singers can play out this universal story of grief and desire.

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Sunday 28 October, 3pm (pre-show activities from 1pm)

£14-£18 adults; children under 16 £7

A Halloween-themed concert designed to introduce the whole family to the world of opera and classical music. From 1pm learn about the behind-the-scenes world of Welsh National Opera with free fun activities throughout the foyer – including a look at props and costumes, wigs and make-up demonstrations, meet the musicians and face-painting. The fun and informal concert will see the WNO Orchestra and soloists guide the audience through a selection of familiar orchestral music from the world of opera, film and popular culture.

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

An online and digital TV sensation, Little Baby Bum is the world’s largest educational YouTube channel with over 21 million subscribers and 20 billion views. Step into the magical and colourful world as you join Mia, Jacus, Twinkle and their Nursery Rhyme friends in a brand new live show

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Monday 29 October, 2pm

£7; group of 4 £24

A dynamic and uplifting show for children and families, performed by Jango Starr and with a style of silent physical theatre including contemporary circus clowning, slapstick comedy, puppetry, juggling and absurd magic. When the headline act fails to show up, Jango, a bumbling theatre caretaker, is suddenly thrust into the limelight and embarks on a hilarious journey of highly crafted and heart-felt silent comedy, magically realizing his dream of transforming into a star!

Blackwood Miners’ Institute, Caerphilly

Monday 29 October 2pm

Age guidance 4+; Tickets £5/£4

Encounter strange lands, dodge the incredibly smelly Trotwood twins, soar the sky with the Clackerjacks and jump feet first into this magical, musical journey of a boy and his whale. This fishy adventure will scoop you up and sail you away on a quest to help Ned find his courage, and discover the truth behind the mysterious Kingdom of Spies… Flossy and Boo use their own magical brand of storytelling to allow you to leap fearlessly into the far reaches of your imagination.

The Riverfront, Newport

Tuesday 30 October 11.30am and 2.30pm

£7; family of four £26; age guidance 4+

Acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories present this adaption of the bestselling Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book. Longing to see the world, a tiny snail hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. Together they go on an amazing adventure – but when the whale gets beached, how will the snail save him? Follow the tiny snail’s exciting journey, as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father… Expect storytelling, live music and lots of laughs from the Olivier Award-nominated company that brought you The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom live on stage.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Wednesday 31 October-Thursday 1 November 2.30pm

£6; age guidance 6-11 but all ages welcome

Some girls like football. Some boys like pink. Everyone likes a good story. Exploring gender stereotypes in a fun, questioning way, Princess Charming is a celebration of being exactly who you are. This one-hour show is for anyone who doesn’t like being told what to do and is about finding the courage to defy expectations.

The cabaret performers explore what really matters about being a boy and being a girl with dances, songs and skits created with children, for children. The theatre is transformed into a family friendly cabaret club full of laughter and sing-a-longs. At the end there is a chance to join in too as the stage is given over to the next generation of cabaret stars.

Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Wednesday 31 October-Saturday 24 November

Age guidance 7+; no under 2s

£20-£70.50

Winner of over 100 major awards, Wicked has been casting its magical spell across the world for over a decade. An ingenious and witty re-imaging of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

November

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Thursday 1 November, 6.30pm

£13.50

Featuring songs such as DNA, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Love Me Like You, Secret Love Song and more four talented girls pay tribute to one of the UK’s finest girl bands. With breathtaking dance moves and replica costumes, this is a high-energy show packed with all of Little Mix’s greatest hits and suitable for all ages.

Sherman Theatre Cardiff

Friday 9-Saturday 10 November and Monday 3-Saturday 29 December

£9; ages 3-6

Following success in previous years Sherman Theatre has chosen another classic fairy tale for its Christmas theatre show for young children. The show will be previewed in November touring across Wales and then returning to the Sherman in December with separate English and Welsh language performances available. Visiting her beloved Granny on her own for the first time, Little Red Riding Hood rushes through the woods. A chance meeting with the hungry Wolf makes her realise she’s missing all the beauty in her surroundings. She slows down and weaves her way to Granny’s picking flowers as she goes. It’s taken such a long time to get there, will she be too late?

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Friday 9 November 10.30am and 1.30pm; Saturday 10 November 10am and 12.30pm

Age guidance 2-5 year olds; £7

Luna is bored up in the sky with no-one to play with. Although she is surrounded by stars, they never quite understand her – it’s very lonely being the only moon. One night, as she’s racing among the stars, she spots a young boy hiding from the shadows in his bedroom. Billy and his favourite toy, Pig, don’t like dark and do all they can to distract themselves from the scary shadows. Luna decides to slide down from the sky to make friends with Billy. Together they go on a wondrous adventure of light and dark to help him overcome his fear of the night time.

With original live music this captivating play about friendship and bravery is a wonderful introduction to theatre for young children.

This interactive production for children age two to seven and their families follows two friends who love collecting stones and turning them into patterns, shapes, sculptures and music. The performance is a development of previous specialist theatre work created by the company over the last few years for the Foundation Phase using natural objects to tell a story and offering new ways of learning through play in the open air. With strong interactive elements, the story will assist children in recognising and discussing their emotions.

Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 20-Saturday 24 November

£12

Age 12+; contains strong language.

Humanequin is a play about gender, identity and finding your family in the unlikeliest of places. With director Jain Boon and writer Kelly Jones, the actors worked alongside members of TransForm Cymru and students from Radyr Comprehensive school to devise Humanequin. They shared their common and individual stories and experiences to create a performance which educates, challenges and provokes conversation about what it means to be trans in 2018.

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Friday 23 November-Saturday 29 December

£16-£26; ages 7+

Continuing its Christmas tradition of bringing classic children’s novels to the stage Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland is adapted by Mike Kenny and directed by Rachel O’Riordan. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole to meet all of your favourite characters. Catch up with the White Rabbit (he’s still running late) or join the Mad Hatter for tea; just mind the Queen of Hearts doesn’t see you or it will be “off with your head”. A talented cast of actor-musicians, stunning sets and costumes, and (tea)pots of fun combine to bring this much-loved classic to life in a curious adventure that you will remember for a lifetime.

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 14-Saturday 17 November

Wednesday-Friday 7.15pm; Saturday 3pm

£10-£17.50

The annual show from local youngsters in the Scout and Guide movement. Six groups have six days to find six rare and lost treasures in the most amazing race ever run. It’s a journey that will take them around the globe in their quest to win the ultimate prize – a life of everlasting luxury! But one group is desperately trying to sabotage the others… and not necessarily because they want to win themselves. Meet a crazy cast of characters, including a shape-shifting teenage boy, a girl raised by a bunch of Daffodils, an Olympic medallist who is allergic to her own Silver medal, and a Penguin Detective called Barry!

New Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 28 November-Saturday 1 December 2018

Evenings 7.30pm; Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Matinees 2.30pm

£14-£26

One of Wales’ leading amateur dramatics companies present this toe tapping, rain splashing stage adaptation of the ‘Greatest Movie Musical of all Time’. Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are silent movie hot property but behind the scenes, things aren’t always as they appear on the big screen. When ‘talking pictures’ take Hollywood by storm, Lina’s squeaky voice might be the end of her career without the help of a talented young actress to do the talking and singing for her. This stage adaptation is filled with every memorable moment from the film and a unforgettable songs including Singin’ in the Rain, Good Morning and Fascinating Rhythm.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Thursday 29 November-Saturday 1 December 8pm

£12/£10 (£8.50 for school groups)

Cascade Dance Theatre in co-production with Taliesin Arts Centre presents a compelling new adaptation of the ultimate gothic fantasy as told by five performers and two musicians. Celebrating 200 years since the publication of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece, Cascade breathes new life into a story that has become so much more to us than its 19th Century origins. Visceral and engaging, Cascade’s production brings to the stage all the potency, drama and tragic inevitability that has made the original novel beloved of generation after generation. Frankenstein: the tale of the monster made of and by man. A cautionary tale, a creation story, an outsider story…a love story

December

BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 1 December 7pm; £10-£12

Rhonda Symphony Orchestra celebrate their 50th anniversary by performing Holst’s The Planets as well as other works including Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro and Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite. Also on stage will be the students of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, who will be collaborating for the first time with the RSO in a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols.

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Monday 3-Saturday 29 December

£9; ages 3-6

Following its success in previous years Sherman Theatre has chosen another classic fairy tale for its Christmas theatre show for young children. The show will be previewed in November before going on tour across Wales and then returning to the Sherman in December with separate English and Welsh language performances available. Visiting her beloved Granny on her own for the first time, Little Red Riding Hood rushes through the woods. A chance meeting with the hungry Wolf makes her realise she’s missing all the beauty in her surroundings. She slows down and weaves her way to Granny’s picking flowers as she goes. It’s taken such a long time to get there, will she be too late?

Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 4 December 2018-Saturday 12 January 2019

£20-£80.50

Age guidance 6+; no under 2s

Seen by over seven million people and the winner of over 85 international awards this is Matilda The Musical’s first UK tour. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s show is inspired by the beloved Roald Dahl book and is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a clever mind, is determined to change her own destiny, even if it means being a little bit naughty.

The Riverfront, Newport

Tuesday 4 December to Sunday 6 January

From £6.50-£21

Panto fun for all the family. Trouble is brewing at Newport Abbey. The Evil Dowager Aunt Draig (Lowri-Ann Richards) is searching for the missing Princess (Alice Rose Fletcher). Lord Griffin of Newport (Michael Geary) and his son the right honourable Dylan (Jack Ayres) with help from Mrs Midges the Housekeeper (Liam Tobin), Muddles the Gardener (Richard Elis) and Chortwood the mysterious Butler (Richard Nichols) make sure that true love wins out in the end.

Weston Studio Wales Millennium Centre

Thursday 6-Saturday 8 December 2018 7pm plus Saturday matinee 3pm

£9; under 16s £6; age guidance 6+ (no under 2s)

Featuring a cast of disabled and non-disabled performers from Odyssey, Hijinx’s community theatre group, and pupils from Woodlands High School follow Hansel and Gedeon on their adventure in the woods, in a sparkling new family production, written by Llinos Mai.

Forbidden by their parents from stepping foot in the woods, Hansel and Gedeon had only ever heard of the dangers which lay within it. But one day, armed with only each other, they decide to venture into the woods to see for themselves.

The Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch Street, Cardiff

The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company presents this tale of treasure and treachery on the high seas. Join Jim Hawkins as he spins his yarn of plotting pirates and potty parrots.

Pinocchio

Paget Rooms, Penarth

Thursday 6-Sunday 9 December

Thursday-Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 1pm and 5pm; Sunday 1pm

From £10 per ticket

Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society present Pinocchio for their annual panto. The show follows Geppetto, a toy maker who has always wanted a son. His toy puppet, Pinocchio, is transformed into a boy – but every time he tells a lie, his nose grows. Meet comedy dame Mama Macaroni, the evil Stromboli, a puppeteer, and little Jiminy Cricket who tries to save the day.

Blackwood Miners’ Institute, Caerphilly

Friday 7-Sunday 30 December

Rainbow Valley Productions bring to the stage a colourful adaptation of a much-loved classic tale. This year’s fun-packed pantomime stars Owen Money as Smee* and a whole cast of talented actors, singers and dancers. Prepare yourself for a fun-packed, joke-crammed, song-filled, fast-moving, laugh-a-minute ride through the magic and mayhem of panto land. (*For all schools performances Smee will be played by Adrian Gregory).

New Theatre, Cardiff

Saturday 8 December 2018-Sunday 13 January 2019

£18-£39

Lisa Riley, Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas, Ben Richards, Mike Doyle, Danny Bayne, Adam C Booth and Stephanie Webber head the cast for the New Theatre’s 2018/19 pantomime. Expect lots of laughter, stunning sets, sensational special effects, beautiful costumes, music, comedy, dancing, and audience participation. Dreaming of a happier life, the beautiful Belle finds herself transported to a cursed castle and held captive by a hideous beast. To her surprise, the castle is full of magical characters placed under a spell by an evil enchantress. Can Belle see beyond the monster and fall in love with her captor before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Or will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has melted his heart?

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff

Friday 14-Sunday 16 December

£27-£48

The West End and Broadway musical based on the blockbuster movie starring Will Ferrell is to be supersized into a Christmas spectacular touring the UK – including Cardiff. Pop legend David Essex stars as Buddy the Elf’s father; Love Actually star and singer Martine McCutcheon is Buddy’s girlfriend, Jovie; and Buddy will be played by comedy actor Tam Ryan, West End star Louise English will play Buddy’s stepmother. The cast also features Father Christmas and a line-up of 70 performers, including children from local Pauline Quirke Academy stage schools.

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Saturday 15 and Monday 17 December, 10.30am and 12.30pm
£7.50

Expect a lively story and lots of silly songs to sing along to in this interactive live musical show. It’s is a great way for the under 5s to re-introduce the adults they look after to Christmas. This special performance from the Tiddly Prom team brings Bert, Cherry and many of their musical friends back together for fun and frivolity featuring songs from Bert’s three popular Tiddly Proms alongside festive favourites,. Bert is in a festive mood; the Christmas tree is up and he’s wrapped up everything ready for the big day. Cherry is coming to help put the finishing touches to the decorations and all their friends will be popping in too.

Richard Burton Theatre, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Tuesday 18-Thursday 20 December 7.30pm

£14; £12 concessions

Kinetic Theatre Company follow on from success with Chorus Line, Legally Blonde and Footloose with The Addams Family: The Musical. Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents.

Memo Arts Centre Barry

Thursday 20-Sunday 23 December

Thursday and Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 11am and 2.30pm; Sunday 2.30pm

£14; £12 concessions; £45 family

Barry’s amateur drama company, BillBoard Ensemble, present their annual Christmas Pantomime with hilarious comedy, lavish costumes and set, live orchestra and featuring some familiar songs. An arrogant young prince and his castle’s servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into the hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. The spirited, headstrong village girl Belle enters the Beast’s castle after he imprisons her father Maurice. With the help of his enchanted servants, Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out.

A reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling with a message of tolerance and self acceptance at its core. Family-friendly glamour and glitz takes centre stage as critically acclaimed cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat breaks out of his shell in his first work for children, a classic tale of identity and belonging. Set in an animal circus, we join him on an adventure of self-discovery, asking questions of the ‘happy ever after’ in a celebration of difference. Walking a little differently? Sounding a bit strange? Watch Duckie triumph by realising these are his strengths.